Universal Credit - Housing Benefit Warning!

Universal Credit – Housing Benefit Warning!

As Stirling became a full service area in June a number of tenants have required to claim Universal Credit. This is due to no longer qualfying for Housing Benefit as they went over their earnings limit. This could be as simple as doing some overtime at work or bonus schemes.

Please be aware that if you lose entitlement for Housing Benefit, (even if it is just for one week you will be unable to have your Housing Benefit claim reinstated), you will require to claim Universal Credit. This includes any entitlement to Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Tax Credits. Payment will be made monthly 6 weeks after the date of your claim for Universal Credit.

Another issue with Universal Credit is if you are in receipt of this benefit and are working and paid 4 weekly, there will be one month during the year that you will receive 2 wages in your assessed income period which will result in less Universal Credit that month. For those paid weekly, there will be 4 assessed income periods where 5 weeks of wages will be deducted from your Universal Credit claim. This will mean you will receive less Universal Credit during these 4 periods.

Please contact Tracy Doran, Income Maximisation Officer on 01786 446066 for more information and assistance.